A/N: I know, I promised a chapter, and I know I am late posting. However, some things occurred at home that made writing difficult. Lately, it's been hard because I have to work more hours. Before I could spend all the time I wanted writing, but now… well. Yeah. Anyway, this chapter has got some seriously important information. It's getting crazy for sure. So, let's hope you're hanging tight.
Disclaimer: Nope.
This chapter's inspired tracks: Damaged, from Downton Abbey; The Way, See What I've become by Zach Hemsey; Richat by Mark Petrie (for the fight scenes), Já, Hemmi Minn by Johann Johannsson, Deep Shadow by TTL.
Nimbus
-: X :-
Run and Escape
"You opened up the scars again—consume me like a cancer—
Bringing on my wicked might, distorting all the answers, why?!"
– Red
Fingernails softly tapped against thin clay, picking at cracks and imperfections on the plate that sat innocently on her lap. In her hands, she held a rarity she hadn't very often enjoyed. One hand cradled the plate, the other poised a single fork between digits and all Sasha could do was stare at the single piece of vanilla honey cake.
It was perfect. It was sliced just big enough to entertain Sasha Braus, and judging by its softness and the way the frosting stuck to her fork, Sasha was certain this would be the best damn piece of cake she will ever have. Only…
She wasn't hungry. This was a funny thing to admit. I'm Sasha Braus, I'm always hungry. Strangely enough, she really wasn't. All she could do was stare and let her fork carve trails through the pastry and watch the crumbs take up space on her small plate. Not once had she lifted a finger to lick a piece of the creamy frosting, nor had she attempted to stomach a piece of the cake.
She couldn't. She just couldn't.
It had been two hours, just two. Four hours ago, they had all been laughing and anxious for the wedding ceremony to commence, because the prospect of festivities was so much fun to look forward to. But two hours later… everything changed. The happy event immediately became tragic and horrifying. All because of one person.
The sight of the large blue eyes peering through the window sent a violent curl of fear through her stomach, rampaging and forcing Sasha to set away her slice of cake to cover her face. Two hours…
"Hey," the word was soft and tentative, when Sasha looked up she was surprised to see Fitz standing just a couple feet away, arm cast in a sling and several bandages and the like wrapped around his forehead and other parts of his skin.
"Oh," She murmured, looking away and at her own leg. It, too, was covered in a cast and placed in a chair with a cushion someone had found. She had long ago changed out of her ruined dress into a long skirt and a simple shirt, but she could still smell the dust and concrete on her skin. "Hey, Fitz…"
A small moment of tense silence passed between them and a part of her hoped he would just walk away, leave her alone to tear up her piece of wedding cake and probably wallow or something. Another part of her didn't want him to, somehow knowing that she needed some kind of company. After moments like these… it's always best not to be alone. She had seen what happened to people who were left alone when they should have been with someone.
"You don't like vanilla honey?"
"I love vanilla honey."
Fitz chuckled and she felt a small smile quirk at her lips. Moving her plate she gave him enough space on her bench for him to sit on, their eyes falling down the large hallway where people were currently sitting in rows against the walls. It was so silent, save the whispers and occasional sob that reverberated through the space. Everyone was together… but they were also, each of them, so very alone.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Silence spread between them in a sort of strange, comforting lull that made Sasha feel okay to lean against the wall and stare at her leg. Finally, it seemed that Fitz had curiosities.
"Your leg broke?"
Sasha shook her head, "Sprained."
Fitz let out a short sigh, lifting his good hand to run his fingers through his wild hair before settling on the collar of his uniform jacket—still torn and dirtied from the attack. "That's not so bad," He mused, sighing slowly. "Broken bones suck."
"Your arm…?" She blinked up at him and he gave her a rueful smile and nodded. Sasha bit down on her lip and looked at the wrapped limb.
"Broke in three places," Fitz clarified after realizing her eyes were not leaving his carefully wrapped arm. "Still, could be worse…" the very moment the words left his mouth, he winced. Sasha saw how he suddenly ducked his head, hand reaching up to cover his face much like she had done just minutes prior.
He swore and the word was so unexpected to her, she had no idea why, but it made her snort with some mirth. It disappeared as soon as it came.
"We're not very tactful, you and I." At this Fitz gave his own snort, bitter smile making him look older.
"Bunch of happy-go-lucky morons with an affinity for good food." Sasha sighed and busied herself with flicking cake crumbs off her lap. There was very little left to talk about. Frankly, Sasha didn't want to talk, she didn't want to worry about coming up with words about things that didn't matter. She couldn't even get herself together enough to eat a lousy piece of cake. There was too much whirling inside to really want to make sense, but Sasha knew it all down a very familiar road. That road was worn. So worn. Worn with their feet, and tears, and all the blood the world could never hope to replace. It was one that Sasha had honestly believed would no longer needed traversing through anymore, because the Titans were gone. Because their threat was supposed to be gone. Because they had been promised peace and happiness, and at the peak moment of one of those rare moments of full blown joy and contentment, it was all taken away.
It was stolen from them.
And they let it happen…
She had never felt so emotionally violated. Back during the war, the feeling had been familiar, but it had been expected because it made sense to expect it. Now… now it was just cruel. It was unfair. They had every right to believe they could live now, they could be free to live without such terrors—and just like that, just like that…
"This sucks." Fitz whispered, the words echoing the same sentiment she was struggling to wrestle away. In two words, the man at her side managed to summarize the very essence of their predicament. Sasha didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She just sat there instead. In truth, she wanted nothing more than to have Fitz stay quiet. In the short years of their camaraderie, Sasha had grown to enjoy Fitz's tendencies to speak his mind in witty slews that made people laugh. It was a comfort when there was so much seriousness. It wasn't much comfort now.
Sasha nodded anyway, silently agreeing to the brunet's statement and hoping she could find her piece of cake appetizing enough to busy herself with eating. Sitting here was starting to feel more and more like a mine of anxiety.
"Do you know how many people died?" She asked, not sure why she did.
"No..." Fitz responded, leaning forward to rest his good elbow on his knee. "I don't. I think they're still finding bodies…"
Sasha let out a little noise of understanding, settling her head to rest against the wall behind her. It was so cold, but she didn't care. She felt so strangely numb.
"I wonder if they'll find hers…" Fitz muttered, sounding distant. Sasha's brows furrowed.
"Hers?"
His shoulders gaze a flinch and he hissed, gripping his arm. When he looked back up at her, it was with a weird look—one that was filling with emotion and shock. It only occurred to her that he hadn't intended to voice his thought aloud, and he was gazing at her as if she had discovered a very intimate secret. "You don't know," He said after a long tense moment. Sasha shook her head.
Fitz looked away, ducking his chin, "Riza… she..." His voice was steady, yet his shoulders were not. "Riza's dead, Sasha."
It should have meant something to her, it should have been like a kick to her gut, but Sasha couldn't feel anything. She couldn't. It was as if the words just hit her and then phased past her, as if they had been spoken in some other language and their meaning was completely lost and wasted on her. Sasha felt nothing, and yet despite this emotional tundra raging silence in her core, tears burned and prickled their way into her eyes before she could stop them.
She didn't bother to after they fell down her cheeks, feeling her nose become tight and her lips quiver. She felt nothing. Surely, she did. So why was she crying?
When Fitz looked up it was with alarm, she must have breathed funny because it was the only thing that could've gotten his attention. "Oh, god, Sasha… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" He trailed off, amber eyes beginning to well with tears as she felt her body begin to shake.
"Where's Jean?" Sasha asked, half sobbing as she clenched her hands into fists on her skirt. "Where is he, Fitz?"
"I… I don't know." He reached out, placing a hand on her wrist. Sasha didn't want him touching her, but when his hand gave a firm squeeze she was wriggling her way into his arms, shaking as he let her bury her face on his shirt.
"Fitz, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Fitz." She heaved, clutching to his jacket and letting him wrap his good arm around her. "I'm so sorry…"
"Did you know that she…?" His voice hitched in a tight choking sound, "I didn't know… I didn't know, Sasha. I should have and it's too late now…" He let out a tight groan, reaching to dig his fingers in her hair as they held one another. Sasha wanted to feel nothing, wanted to pretend that the ice didn't burn or stab her. She hoped that Fitz would realize that it wasn't his fault that he didn't know Riza had been in love with him.
Through the midst of tears, a sudden commotion drew their attention away from their sorrow. The two soldiers looked up to the end of the hallway, hearing several cries that fell on uncomprehending ears. For a moment, neither of them could understand why there were suddenly a large amount of people rushing toward the end of the hallway.
"What…?" Sasha heard Fitz mutter and with a decisive sniff she peeled herself off his embrace and began to push off from the bench. "Ah, Sasha, what are you—?"
"I'm going to find out what's going on," She exhaled, lifting her leg and biting down on her lip when her leg gave a sharp protest. Before she could fall, Fitz was placing an arm under hers and bracing her against his side.
"Let me give you a hand," Fitz said softly. Sasha said nothing, but offer a short nod and let him half-carry half-lead her down in the direction of all the attention. Despite her groans of pain, Fitz never let her down and for that Sasha was grateful. Slowly, they both made their way through the growing crowd of soldiers and wounded alike, trying to peer through the heads of the curious.
"Make way! Move back, people!" She heard through the throngs, eyes widening when she recognized Moblit's voice filter through.
"Moblit…?" Sasha murmured, trying to shove her way passed people while Fitz tried to keep her from running off.
"Whoa there…easy, Sasha." He hissed after someone bumped his injured arm. Sasha bit her lips again, giving the brunet an apologetic look he returned with a half smile. Carefully, they limped their way past until Sasha saw Moblit's distressed face, forehead bandaged heavily, as he tried to help usher in the rest of the crew.
It only took a few glances here and there for the realization to sink its teeth in her chest. This is Eren's caravan… "What happened?" Fitz muttered.
"Lieutenant!" Sasha called out, grimacing when Fitz gave her still bruised side a surprised squeeze. Moblit's eyes blinked over to hers for a moment before turning his direction elsewhere. Sasha scowled briefly until her eyes fell to the rest of the injured looking soldiers of Hanji's squad. Her stomach dropped when she saw a stretcher being pulled in.
On its surface lay Hanji, unconscious and pale. At her sides, two officers kept their hands firm against her stomach, looking focused and just as worried as Moblit appeared. One closer look and Sasha saw the blood staining their fingers through her mid drift. A sharp inhale of air ripped through Sasha's teeth, her hand lifting to cover her mouth when she realized the state of Hanji's injury.
"What the hell…?" Fitz gasped, lifting to the balls of his feet to get a better look.
"Oh God," Sasha uttered, her eyes jumping to look at the second stretcher the soldiers were carrying on. This time, it was Eren. On his skin, he bore the familiar red marks and scale like burns that signified the only thing that shocked her. This time, the wounds were steaming slowly, and while Sasha was used to seeing him like this after a transformation… the sight of blood dripping down his eyes like tears wasn't.
"Eren…" She whispered, feeling the rest of sense and reason cave to the hopelessness pouring like sludge through her veins. Why is this happening?
There were so many things that they had hoped… she had hoped…
But hope had died on this day.
One hour ago
Everything was running through a fractured slow-motion. Steam and dust had blown nearly everyone several yards away, and when she had landed, her head had struck something hard. Hanji knew exactly what was going on even though her body was slow to process it. It took the majority of what felt like a long while to push herself up to her elbows, trying to make sense of what she was looking at—grass—and trying to make sense of why it all happened. What had caused it all…? Blinking blearily, Hanji turned her gaze up, and up, until she saw the crown of dark brown hair moving with the wind and the sharp, pointed ears that rose through the locks. Gritting her teeth, Hanji pushed herself to her knees, and the sight alone had been enough for her body to catch up to the rest of her train of thought.
Eren had transformed.
"Eren!" She shouted, groaning when the result made her head pound. Wincing, the scientist pushed herself up to her feet. Again, she cried out his name, but the Titan remained unmoving. It stayed, standing, body towering still as its eyes remained grounded in one direction. Again, Hanji called his name, hoping to reach him, but all she got was a simple ear flick and lack of acknowledgment.
"Major Hanji!" She heard and turned around, Moblit jogged up to her, covering his forehead with a hand, beneath his digits she could see the familiar stain of red smear on his skin.
"Moblit, you alright?" Hanji took a step to him before Eren's Titan took a sudden step forward. All eyes went to his immense figure, the Rogue Titan was rearing his head back, taking a huge inhale. It was all the warning they had to cover their ears before it let out an earth shattering roar.
"What's happening?!" Moblit shouted near her, his voice just barely making it to her beneath the thundering cry. "Why did he transform?"
Hanji set her jaw, trying to see clearly even while their ears shook with the force of Eren's impromptu cry. Something was off… this wasn't the Titan she had fought alongside. Suddenly, the giant turned, facing them with wide green eyes, battle cry cut short as it appraised them.
When its eyes landed on Hanji, they narrowed. Moblit let out a soft grunt, an exclamation of concern, but Hanji couldn't pay attention to it. She was far too caught within the sensation of being under a Titan's gaze once more. She knew it was Eren, knew that he was still in there—but there was something else altogether. An excitement and familiar rage that sparked curiosity and fire into her chest and through the rest of her bones. Hanji had almost forgotten how it felt, to feel so hatefully small under a creature that could kill you with a simple stomp…
And yet, instead of fear… Hanji felt the urge to charge nearly overwhelm her.
She had never felt so alive.
"Hanji!" Moblit's voice seemed to finally shake her from her stupor, his hands grabbing around her waist and elbow before yanking her to the side. An instant later a violent crash exploded where she had stood, showering them all in dirt and earth. For a second time, her back met with the ground hard. She didn't realize she was laughing until she was choking on dust.
When the dust settled, she was scrambling to her feet, feeling adrenaline give her boost enough to jump up and look back in the direction of the explosion. The Rogue Titan slowly pulled a bleeding hand from where it had punched the ground, blood dripping from the limb before it steamed away. Before her eyes she saw how the flesh quickly repaired and stitched back together. Wrapping like threads over exposed bone and securing into muscle strands before sealing into the smooth expanse of tan skin.
Slowly the arm pulled away, and through the soup of dirt and steam, Hanji found herself once against under the violent stare of hungry green eyes and a parted maw. She could hear several cries of shock from the men around her, escalating in volume when the Titan rose its recently healed fist high in the air again.
"Major Hanji!" She heard, but suddenly Eren's eyes widened. His fist in the air, he paused, as if registering something no one could comprehend. Body straightening, he turned those same wide green eyes into the direction of the castle, as if in disbelief.
"Eren…? What…?" She found herself muttering. In an abrupt turn of events, the Rogue Titan doubled over for a moment before its muscles tensed. Hanji could only let out a sharp yelp of surprise before Eren's Titan burst into a full sprint in that direction.
"After him!" She bellowed, stumbling through a run toward the nearest horse. The animal shrieked and whinnied in protest, but she was swinging herself onto its back and spurring it forward to give chase as fast as she could.
"Major Hanji, wait!" Moblit's voice shouted, "You need your gear!"
"Bring it, just hurry up!" Hanji shouted over her shoulder, her eyes fixed on Eren's running frame as it hurried away. Teeth clenched, the red headed scientist tried to think of all the reasons for this sudden transformation, gathering up all the variables that would lead to this result. Was it the experiments? Was his body pushed hard enough that the healing jumpstarted too strongly? Or… could it be that there is another Titan alive?
But, if so… why was he heading toward the Castle?
Leaning forward, she whipped the reins, urging the horse to hurry on faster. The animal gave a sharp grunt, kicking its hind legs angrily and almost bucking, but Hanji reached over and pressed a hand to its neck, "Steady, steady…" She urged as calmly as she could. It helped somewhat, at least it wasn't kicking anymore…
Something was wrong, something was definitely out of place. She knew this, knew it the very second she saw Eren collapse from his horse. He had thrown himself on his back the moment his body struck the ground, eyes wide and unseeing as he thrashed and his body seized. It frightened her, seeing him react so violently when it had never done so before. Even when the men had gotten close enough to attempt to restrain him, all Hanji could do was try to get him to look at her and tell her what was going on. After moments of sharp groans and pained yelps, Eren suddenly began screaming.
She had no idea what was wrong with him, but the moment his screams ended in a rapid switch to silence, she knew that they needed to stay far away from him. All she got was him trying to force his name through his teeth and she was scrambling away as far as she could.
Still, the explosion had left them thoroughly crippled—the amount of damages to the area and their equipment put a damper on the amount of control they had. Even so, Hanji wouldn't allow it to stop her from pursuing the truth and find a way to stop Eren from doing something he truly would end up regretting.
Several minutes of hard riding, Hanji's mind continued to spin. Possibilities and alternative theories jumped up and died as quickly as the breaths the animal beneath her expelled; there was too much information missing to come down to an accurate explanation, and all she could do at this point was to see where Eren was going.
Hanji had expected an answer…
She just didn't expect it so soon… or how it did.
The signs became apparent not long after it all came together; the Rogue Titan's body slowing down for a moment before taking off at a harder pace, letting out sharp roars that sounded like attempts at speaking. All in all, she was too far away to truly tell what was going on… until she heard it.
At first, she thought it was the howl of wind. Some kind of trick of the air hitting her ears… but then she heard it again.
Hanji's insides froze.
The earth beneath her horse shook, echoing tremors that were not consistent with Eren's massive footfalls. All manner of logical thinking and rapid critical stirring died the instant her eyes beheld the incoming figure. Blonde hair… armored skin and exposed muscle tissue…
"It…" Hanji gasped, feeling the cold wind pierce through her clothes and freeze the very blood under her skin. "It can't be…"
It was.
"Annie…?"
I know that sound… I know it. I know it…
Somewhere… deep within the recesses of anger and violence, reason still stood its ground. It was small and it was weak, but it was standing and it was seeing everything. It took so long to understand why his body was moving without him wanting to, trying to understand the pair of brown eyes and the glasses that tickled his memory and made him feel so strangely weird whenever he saw them.
He thought he didn't like it… and so his body assumed the pair of eyes needed to be squashed. It made sense… in a most bizarre way. It wasn't any different than wanting to kill an insect or a rodent. It was looking at him funny… and so it had to die.
Ah… that hurt. Did it hurt? Reason beheld the way his hand regenerated after striking the ground, seeing that pair of brown eyes stare up at him.
Just kill it.
He almost did…
Until…
He heard it. I know that sound… I know it.
And in that moment, Eren was breathing through large nostrils, feeling the green eyes of his power expand in surprise as it reflected the very emotions pulsing through his chest. It was almost overwhelming, the sheer and unadulterated force of disbelief, shock, and hope all clashed together in his chest. He knew that sound. I know that sound.
In the distance, he had heard it. It was a roar. A screech… like some kind of call…
It can't be, right? It can't be.
Find it.
So he turned and he ran. All he could do was run, he had to run. He had to forget the brown eyes, ignore the urge to slap them away, because the sound reminded him too much of a pair of blue eyes. Those were the only ones that mattered. Yet, Reason spoke again. Can't be. She's dead. They never found her body, she couldn't have survived.
But he had heard it! She was alive! Why else would he had heard her call for him… he knew it. He had heard her before… had fought her and listened to her screech and bellow…
As his body moved, so could he feel the euphoria of sensations make battle with the pain of hoping against hope. She's dead. Find her. She can't be alive. Find. HER.
"S-sorry!" Eren had exclaimed, pushing himself away as fast as possible. Hand rising to press against his mouth, he saw her do the same, watch him with wide blue eyes and rubbing slender fingers over plump lips, bruised after the force of which his mouth had collided against them.
Find her. She's DEAD.
She could still be alive. Don't be a fool. She can't be.
Because if she was… if there was a chance that she was…
Muscles moved harder, air blew in through teeth straight into his lungs. There was so much air… but he could see. See the trees rushing at his sides, seeing them cower beneath him as he sprinted with everything he had. He had to… because he heard it. He heard her. It wasn't it a trick… it wasn't a trick.
All that mattered was moving and finding out the source of that sound, to make sure what he heard wasn't a fallacy, or something his brain made up because of stress or some bullshit reason like that…
Harder, his feet struck the ground. Faster, he swung his arms and legs forward, urging himself to move with the need to keep pushing, keep moving… keep moving.
All the while his eyes ran through the landscape ahead of him, seeing through the trees and thick foliage, trying to find a hint or a sign… anything. Anything. Keep moving. The feelings of desperate need and desire for knowing began to sour, turning into something vicious that hurt and tore through the tissues of his already weakened resolve. Please… please…
Something flickered in the distance, flash of… something.
IS IT?
Don't be idiotic.
But it could be…!
Again the flash appeared, and Eren honed in on it. Green eyes turned and focused, refusing to blink despite the harsh wind biting against his face and the hair whipping around his neck and eyes. He could feel the brown locks scratch and strike his shoulders, biting like the wind, but he dared not look away. He saw something. He was sure of it.
The myriad of green upon brown and shades of yellow and red burned against his hope, daring him to let his desperation give way to logic or reason. Damn reason. He didn't need it. He just needed—
Her.
There.
She was there.
I'm dreaming… I must be…
But even as he ran and even as he shook his head, tried to blink away the dryness in this form's eyes… when he looked back up… she was still there.
Blonde hair, the armored flesh and exposed parts of muscle. She moved like death itself, and through the massive and dwindling distance between them he saw her eyes. Blue… wide… and the slightest hint of a smile, manic and just as desperate as the fire surging through his veins.
Annie…
Alive. Alive… Alive.
He didn't know what he was feeling, it was almost too much. All he knew is that he could feel the burning rise to his eyes, forcing them to dampen and let loose tears that were blown away in the wind.
Annie. Annie.
Alive. She's alive.
"Annie!" He heard himself wanting to shout, but it rose like a sharp roar. It shook his eardrums, but like the undeniable sight of her body sprinting toward him, it made him feel alive. More alive than he had felt in so long.
So long…
Suddenly, she let out a cry of her own, shrieking and screaming through the air and he could feel his heart jump to his throat. Wait. No…
Something's wrong.
But… what?
Alive. Alive… Alive. No. No. Hungry. Starving. Needing.
Was he imagining it? No. He wasn't. Suddenly, his steps were not as desperate as they had been. Speed lowered as he felt himself grow hesitant, felt this strange sense creep up on him the closer she got. It was finally when she was within half a mile of distance that he saw it. Like a lack of self, it dripped through the smile on her face. The strangeness, the bizarre notion of it all… Something was wrong…
The beast within him (around him) was emitting something through his chest, like some kind of warning that poked and prodded the faster she approached.
Annie… Annie what is… Annie…?
And then… it hit him. It hit him hard.
Heels crashing against the ground, he felt the earth beneath him shatter, stopping as hard as he could because he didn't understand. Why? How?
Annie.
He knew that stare. He had seen it on so many faces. Saw it on the face of the Smiling Titan that took his mother with a simple snap of hands and a chomp of wretched teeth. He had felt that same look echo in his own eyes, felt it take over when he had become overwhelmed with violence and hatred.
This was hunger.
This was a starvation that would only be sated with blood and death.
This... isn't Annie.
The Female Titan let out another shriek, like a hysterical cry and before Eren could even think of registering why she did what she did, or how she did what she did, she was lunging for him. A sharp whistle yanked its way into his ears, eyes watching how her fist pushed into the air before careening toward him. Eren only had enough time to pull away just enough to narrowly avoid the punch that was aimed for his face. Like clockwork, he saw her other hand lift to fly another jab, this one aiming for his chest. Eren ducked, swerving to the left and allowing his body to slide into a low stance.
In an instant, he looked up and from up close, he saw the craze pulsing through her eyes. Blood lusting and thirsty, Annie's lips parted into yet another horrid grin. It made him feel so cold.
With a quick leap, Annie spun in the air, muscles pushing into a blur before one of her legs was slicing through wind and air, heading straight for his side. In his shock, Eren could do nothing but throw his elbows down, trying to block most of the force that slammed into his body with a thunderous crash.
The pain shot through every fiber in waves, shoving the wind clean from his throat and pushing saliva through his parted teeth. What is…?! It was enough to rattle his bones and twist his equilibrium. Eren was tasting dirt as his body followed to shove of Annie's kick. For a moment, he slid and spun on the ground, uprooting trees and scattering earth in a plume of dust.
She was on him before he could attempt to correct himself into an upright position. With a swift kick, Annie was drilling into his side, so powerful he felt blood rush with the same ferocity through his stomach to flood his mouth.
"Get up, Eren." Annie had grunted, brushing blond bangs from her face and peering cold blue eyes down her nose at him.
Get up.
Eren pressed his hands against the ruined earth, spitting up blood and feeling her leg connect to his stomach a second time. This time, he was ready. Quickly, he let his arms wrap around the limb, digging his fingers into her muscle and tendons. Annie let out a sharp exhale that sounded like an exasperated grunt and he almost let go because of how much it reminded him of the time he had done the very same. Not… yet! As expected, Annie lifted her other leg—meant to stomp against his exposed side—and Eren saw his chance.
Sharply, Eren spun in the other direction, dragging Annie's leg with him and forcing her to collapse on her back. She let out a cry and Eren was scrambling up to his knees. He grabbed her leg when he saw her attempt to do the same and pulled. With another earth shaking crash, she was on her back again, teeth bared.
Get her.
Beat her.
Annie.
With a leap, Eren's knees were colliding on either side of her hips, forcing her down. He dodged a wild punch, and following the movement he was able to catch one… two... both of her wrists and pressing them tight against the ground.
This isn't Annie… This can't be Annie. Eren gasped, watching the titan beneath him thrash and struggle, kicking her feet behind him and trying to pull him off. This was wrong. Annie would've never allowed him to get her on her back, she would have never punched first.
What is happening?
But it was Annie, he was sure of it. He was sure of it when he met her eyes and felt her kicks. How can this be Annie and not be Annie…?
Suddenly, Annie was screaming again, roaring and shrieking with everything she had. Blue eyes met his, wide and strangely empty… like an animal's or some kind of dumb beast… The more he stared the more he felt his hope begin to die. This was Annie… but not Annie.
In a shocking turn of events, he saw her bite down on her lip. Blood burst from the wound and before he could think anything of it, she was spitting the steaming heat into his face. It burned him and it was enough to make him drop his guard for a half a second. Shit!
It was more than enough time for her to flip him on his back. Earth met skin and Eren let out a strangled groan, wheezing when he felt her body slam on his stomach. Instincts took over and his arms shot up to protect his face and head, hoping that she would direct her attacks on his chest or something else…
But… no hits came. All he heard was her screams and roars.
Blinking, Eren peered through his forearms, seeing her hover over him as she roared and shrieked into his face. Blood and spittle struck the scathed skin of his arms, steaming and running through flesh as he tried to understand. What are you…?
Annie continued to scream, her arms resting on either side of his head and he could hear her fingers rip into the dirt at his sides. Slowly, he turned his head toward her, trying to discern the strangeness in her eyes, the sounds she was shouting. The instant his eyes made perfect contact with hers, she stopped everything.
Silence spread between them and cautiously, Eren lowered his arms to try to see her better. Just like that… she had stopped. Her eyes half falling away from his, Eren felt his heart fall as she pulled away for a moment, resting her weight on his stomach. Wind blew against them, pushing away the dirt that had risen through their scuffle, and ruffling the strands of blonde hair upon her head. In awkward breezes, he felt the same wind push cold tendrils through his scalp and shoving locks of brown over his eyes, but he dared not move. How could he possibly attempt to… wait…?
Wind shoved them through what felt like moments slowed to eternities. He was caught by the blue of her eyes, the devastation coursing deep within the surge of heat within her body. It took nearly an entire length of thought for him to realize exactly what he was seeing. Only, his mind went blank when she blinked and looked deep into the green of his gaze. Because, all of a sudden, Annie was leaning down. Her face approached his, never breaking the contact now thoroughly and unbreakingly established between them and for the seconds that followed, Eren had forgotten his very name.
Annie's head slowly pressed against his, foreheads touching as her eyes slid close and his arms pulled away to hang in shock above his head. Her hands remained at his sides, as if she were bowing in some form of reverent respect above him. It was only them, skin touching in these forms and yet, despite all common rationalization to try to get some form of answer from her—to get out of these blistering bodies and to finally talk face-to-face—Eren could only let his own eyes slide close, struck with the freight train of relief that struck him dumb when he registered the fullness of her presence.
"E... Ere…n…"
Green eyes snapped open, wide and stunned. Annie pulled away and before Eren could so much as try to understand what she had just done, the Female Titan was lifting a fist and slamming it with vicious intensity against his jaw.
Eren was thrown back into a vacuum of pitch black, heat, and the tumult of emotions that exploded in the pain of her final assault.
"STOP HER NOW!"
The sound of wires bursting through the air amidst the sharp hisses of gas spread around them. Hanji grit her teeth as she tied down the gear around her hips, watching soldiers shoot off into the air and attempt to engage the massive Titan hellbent on tearing her opponent's head off. Hooks dug into trees and hot armored flesh, bodies swinging into the air with the ease of birds taking off into the sky.
Horse breathing hard beneath her, Hanji targeted her hooks onto the Fallen Rogue's body. "Distract her! I'm going to get Eren!"
"Major, no!" Moblit's voice shouted behind her, fading as she squeezed the triggers hard and waited for the violent yank that would send her airborne. Sure enough the pull came, plucking her from the back of her horse. Wind whipped at her from all directions, forcing her hair back and tugging her cloak to flap angrily behind her. The sound of gas tearing behind her was the only thing that rivaled the howl of air in her ears, her eyes honing on the massive fingers destroying the head of the Rogue Titan.
Those same fingers suddenly tore through skin and blood, lifting quickly to grab the wires attached to her body. Hanji nearly seethed when she saw her men let out horrified cries before being slammed to the ground in a burst of green, brown, and red. In a split moment, blue eyes fell directly on her, jumpstarting the sensation of fire only loathing could ignite. Hanji let out a vicious snarl that bordered on a hysterical laugh. Gone was the usual curiosity and fascination that made her actions lean toward the scientific—Hanji truly wanted nothing more than to rip right into this Titan's body.
A hand swung down, meant to catch Hanji mid flight, but the woman was spinning her swords in her hands before squeezing the trigger. With a swift maneuver of her lower body, Hanji swung her body to arc around Annie's extended digits, before letting the steel slice into those same fingers.
Blood burst in a squirt of heat, slapping her in the face and pushing through Hanji's lips. High on the velocity of danger, the crazed scientist slammed her fingers down on her triggers, catapulting faster through the air to finish severing the fingers off Annie's hand.
The Female Titan recoiled her hand, letting out a strange shriek of what Hanji thought was agony. Feet landing on Eren's chest, the redheaded woman waste no time and hit his body running. At a sprint she quickly hurried to reach the other side of Eren's neck. With a leap, she was flying again.
"MAJOR!" Someone screamed.
The sound of air breaking with a sharp whistle was all Hanji could register as a warning. In a moment of mad instincts, she flattened her body feet first in the direction her wires pulled her, just barely missing the other hand that was meant to slap her out of the air.
Hanji pushed her knees to her chest, effectively spinning and changing the trajectory of her flight. Hooks released and rushing back to her sides, she flew high in the air. Brown eyes met manic blue in the space of a breath and a single thought.
Is she… ? Nanoseconds passed before Hanji was shooting a hook in Annie's direction. The wire shot passed the Titan's neck into the tree behind. As expected, Annie was lifting a hand to cover the base of her neck, shooting Hanji a black stare. With a sharp cry, the woman let a smile spread over her lips and she squeezed a trigger. Body careening over Annie's front, she flew before sinking her blades deep through the Titan's collar. The smell of rust and iron bit into her nose, making the tingling in her body heighten. Spinning back to face the blonde giant, Hanji let loose her second hook to yet another tree.
Through the spinning world, Hanji was met with comprehensive glances from the surviving men. In moments, her actions spurred the men straight into action. Spinning and unleashing wires over and over until the Female Titan was caught in a web of steel and hooks, pinned tight to her own limbs.
Feet landing hard against wood, Hanji spat out the remains of heat on her tongue, turning to survey the work she and her men had been able to do. Sure enough, Annie was caught, eyes wide with surprise.
"We did it!" Someone shouted.
"Get Eren out of here!" Hanji exclaimed, gasping and wiping a sleeve over her mouth. "By no means can we allow her to take him away from us!" With a certain exhale, she let her eyes fall over to where Moblit was proceeding to run toward the neck of Eren's titan, several soldiers were already quickly slashing through the skin to get to the inside. A fierce shudder ran through her limbs, making her hands tremble around her swords and legs feel loose and unfamiliar. It had been too long since she had felt such extreme dose of adrenaline, and the bloodlust still coursing through her veins was making it hard to think straight.
Closing her eyes, Hanji let her body slump against the trunk of her tree, breathing in the smell of pine and sycamore to try to calm her fraying nerves.
"I've found him!" Moblit exclaimed, grunting as steam burst in white streams around them. Hanji almost felt relief… until she looked back at Annie's figure. She frowned… this was not was she was expecting. She had fully expected for the Titan woman to fight back against her restraints, screech and scream… anything. Instead… she was perfectly still. As if…
Brown eyes jumped straight to where Moblit stood, in his arms he carried Eren's scalded body, blood running down the shifter's eyes like tears. All too soon it hit her.
"MOBLIT!" Hanji shrieked, unable to stop the explosion of strength and power that ripped her from her stance on the branch. Annie's body had surged upwards, tearing at her restraints and wires like shredding through paper. Screams and shouts ripped through the air, and in a long weightless moment, Hanji had no idea what was going to happen next.
Something sharp and cold ripped against her belly, making her gasp out. Before she could tell what it was, Hanji was being yanked in another direction before being sent flying. The world around her spun and swirled in a blur of brown, blue, white, and green. Pain kept her from blacking out at the sheer force of her spinning alone and when she was able to reorient herself, she saw Annie's body shake off the last of the wires. Both hands were fully regenerated and Hanji feared that she would begin to kill them all off.
But something happened Hanji had not expected. Quickly, the Female Titan stood and pushed away from the Rogue's steaming body, hand digging into the dirt before rising and with a final glance, took off into a sprint. Hanji let out a sharp cry, angered and wanting to follow after, but the ground was rapidly rising to meet her and the pain in her belly was making it harder to see.
Squeezing triggers, Hanji tried to right herself as she fell. Stomach falling to her feet as the reversing force yanked her upwards, the redheaded scientist let out a grunt, finally seeing the blood falling from her stomach and running toward her hips and legs. Curling, the woman attempted to palm the wound, feeling the blood run slick against her palm. In a fit of desperation, Hanji shot her hooks into a nearby tree and narrowly avoided slamming into the earth.
Took close she swung near the ground and when she could not hold the hooks in any longer, she felt her feet clash against the dirt. Crying out, she could do nothing as the force threw her off her feet to slide and roll viciously on the ground. Somewhere along the line, her head had whipped back, skull smacking hard against rock with a sickening thud until finally she dragged to a stop.
Trembling fingers tried to press against her stomach, feeling the fullness of the injury and the gaping gash that was slowly sapping at her life. Coughing, she felt hot blood run cold, unable to move as her body tried to cope with all this stress. Shi… shit…
Hanji slowly lifted her head, eyes landing on the quickly speeding figure of Annie's escaping form. Vision blurring, all she could register was the sight of blurry shoes and legs rushing closer to her, before Moblit's face appeared above her, crying out something she couldn't identify.
"Er…Erwin…" She murmured, feeling the last of her energy give to the pain that encompassed her.
The blue had bled from the sky. Shoved from its rightful place, bruised reds and purples stretched against the dying orange and yellows the sun cast upon the tragic shade of the Survey Corps castle. Silver eyes watched in silence, waiting for news, as she appraised the way the wind pushed and left all alone. It was as if the rest of the world had fallen to realize the calamity that had ripped them of all present joy. Slowly, the winds gave to the power of demanded silence. Slowly, she could see soldiers try to shake their heads from the violent emotional whiplash that struck their happy moment.
Try… and try… and fail.
With a slow sigh, Rico turned away from the fresh sunset to look into the cot of the Corp's leader. The Aryan man remained still and unconscious, breathing evenly as his body worked to fix the damages done. Try and try…
Silver eyes crinkled as she let her eyes fall over the bandages on his arms, the gauze taped to his neck, and the bruises peppering what exposed skin she could see. He looked so unlike the man she was used to seeing. His uniform was gone, replaced by soft hospice clothes that disappeared beneath the long white sheet that covered his form from the chest down. Even his hair, usually combed back, was disheveled and fallen over his eyes and cheekbones. Deep in her heart, Rico partly wished for him to sleep a bit longer, knowing full well the way the pain of this latest attack would have on his conscience. She knew this pain, knew it when she had seen her comrades taken and killed when they were least prepared. It was as shameful as it was enraging, leaving nothing but bitter tastes and a thirst for completed vendettas.
"Do you honestly trust him, Garrison Dog?" hands clenched into tight fists in her lap, sending shocks of hard aching pain up her muscles to squeeze at her sore joints. Her shoulder had been reset only an hour prior… and it still ached like a whore.
Rico's eyes narrowed into metal slits, glaring hatefully at the smug expression of the Military Policewoman. "He has given me every reason to trust him."
Major Harke rose a brow and an amused tilt of her lips, "How adorable. I have been told that all dogs are immediately trusting of new masters… no matter how war bitten they are."
Rico said nothing, choosing to channel all her will into restraining from lunging for the woman's neck. Butter yellow eyes blinked lazily at her, "Be wary of this man, pup. You may be able to survive in a world filled with Titans, but in a world of Men, you still have so much to learn."
"Keep your idiotic advice to yourself, Major. I have neither the time nor the care to give for any of it."
"I'm sure of that," Major Harke agreed, with mock understanding. "You must be so busy being taught the trick of being a breeding dog now. Let's hope you're not too old to learn that one. It would be a shame… should you fail."
It was easy, so easy, to utterly loathe all of Major Harke's being. Yet, despite the deep and passionate hatred the very thought of the woman brought into Rico's veins… something in the way she had taunted her… it was as if she knew something Rico didn't. Knew some kind of secret Rico wasn't certain of and it frustrated her greatly.
She knew it would be idiotic to take any of that woman's words seriously, but no matter what she did or how much she tried to assure herself that she had nothing to worry about… Rico couldn't help but wonder if Erwin did have any secrets he was keeping from her. Naturally, he would. Everyone keeps secrets. It was almost hard to believe so, though. He had always answered her questions honestly and sincerely. If there had been anything Rico had not expected from Erwin, was the level of sure attention he gave her during their routine tea times and conversations. It was his eyes, they were always, always, so piercing and focused…
Glancing back up, Rico found her eyes falling back over to his sleeping face. Softly, she reached a hand up to brush the golden strands from his eyes, before pausing. A sharp breath of air stopped right against her lips, her heartrate shooting up. She had never been particularly skilled in the art of romance—this much, Rico was loathed to admit the Major was correct about—and just the simple thought of touching this man's face in such an intimate manner…
I'm being ridiculous. She thought to herself, trying to summon the familiar determination that became her shield. Pushing forward, Rico finally let her fingers reach his forehead, careful not to touch his skin so much. Swiftly, she tugged the locks of hair out of Erwin's eyes to fall back against his scalp. There. All done. That wasn't so bad, ri…? Against all she knew and wished, her eyes had traveled from his forehead and severe eyebrows, down his strong nose and cheekbones to land directly over his mouth.
His lips were somewhat pale, and even in shape. They were neither full nor thin, but despite a cut to the lower one… they looked soft. They had felt so soft. She could not push away the memory fast enough, and before she knew it, she remembered the way they had felt against hers. Soft… and warm. Now, they lay just a foot away from her. Parted so slightly, she could almost see the pink of tongue, the promise of heat.
Have you kissed other women like you did me, Erwin? Or are your kisses more passion filled? Frantic and hurried?
For a moment, Rico wondered what had happened if she had allowed their first kiss to deepen, to have gone further. Certainly, they would need to at one point. They would have to… but would it be a mechanical affair? Or much like she had heard other female officers speak about, hot and passionate, wonderful and pleasure filled?
It was not like she hadn't ever had sex. Rico had. But, those were nights done in the moments of lowered inhibition and drunken state of minds. She didn't really remember how they were, but from what she could recall, they were messy and lacked emotional closure and warmth. Will you be cold with me, Erwin?
Slowly, Rico felt herself drawn towards him, eyes wide and struck over the pair of lips that had pressed against hers once, and said words that both confused and thrilled her. She would be lying to herself if she didn't admit she felt something for this man. It was not love. No… love does not feel this way. How would you know? But, Rico could feel an honest stirring in her chest. Perhaps it was admiration, or perhaps it was just curiosity. Whatever it was it spurred her forward. She wondered, for an instant, if this feeling would become known to her if she were to press her lips against his—to try to get something certain.
With a shuddered intake of breath, Rico allowed herself to move those last few inches, gingerly pressing her mouth against Erwin's still lips. The pressure was faint and hesitant, but the sensation that he had left on her when he had kissed her suddenly was strangely lacking. Frowning to herself, Rico began to pull away, but froze when she felt something press against the back of her head.
The gasp that escaped her fell silent when she was pulled back against Erwin's lips and she could feel his mouth slowly work against hers. With those soft caresses, Rico felt her body erupt into a violent fever, feeling blood pool in her cheeks and the air lodge against her throat as her eyes fell closed. She didn't know what to do, except rest her weight on her elbow next to his head, letting the sensation of this unplanned kiss wipe her mind blank. Ever so deeply, the kiss expanded and Rico could feel something primal awaken when she felt his tongue run over her upper lip. A shiver coursed up her legs, through her spine, to pool in her chest, making her feel lightheaded.
Air coursed through his nostrils and the pressure on her head dropped to her neck, thumb caressing a sensitive area by her collarbone. Suddenly, his other hand was pressing against her ribs, in search for warmth. Rico felt her body give an abrupt jerk when that hand had traveled toward her chest, making her give a soft yelp against his mouth.
"Han…" He breathed against her lips. Rico gasped fully, mind scattering, when she felt that same hand grip against her left breast. Yanking herself away, the silver haired woman lifted a hand to cover her mouth, silver eyes wide as she saw his flutter open before landing on her. Blue eyes blinked wide, Erwin's bruised lips parted in what seemed like an inquiry of confusion. Too quickly, she saw the light dawn on his eyes, making her feel a terrible kick of mortification.
"Rico… what…?" He spoke finally, voice hoarse from lack of recent use. He looked away, cheeks flushing and Rico could feel the weight of their actions rest heavily on her chest. The feeling of his hand on her chest was still tingling, taunting her mind and making her feel strange things.
"F-forgive me," She spoke after an awkward pause. It was near impossible trying to rein back the pounding against her rib cage, the pleasurable tingling on her lips. "I hadn't meant to—that was disrespectful—It won't happen again, Erwin, I assure you."
Those blue eyes turned back to her, watching her with something she could not discern. "Did you hear…?"
"Did I hear…?" She frowned. Erwin shook his head, quick and jerky.
"I meant… is that what you want? For it to not happen again?" The question forced her gaze elsewhere, making the ramming in her chest skyrocket. Suddenly, she had no idea what to do with her hands. Settling she sat straight against her chair, grasping to the fabric of her uniform—she had changed from the dress she had borrowed. The dark fabric had been ruined by dust and blood—and tried to steady her breathing.
"I…" She said after a moment. What did she want? "No… I don't want… that. I mean, I am not sure."
There was another strange silence and despite all reasons not to, Rico could not stop her eyes from sneaking a glance to Erwin. To her luck, he was looking in another direction, appearing pensive. "It would seem," He said with a slow breath. "That our relationship does appear to be escalating."
"It does?" She heard more than felt the words fall from her tingling lips. Erwin nodded, but it was not the sort of expression she would have thought logical considering their circumstances. His face looked simply as if he were stating a fact, a piece of strategy rather than something intimate like the kiss they had just shared. And what did he mean, had she heard? Heard what…?
"This had been unintentional," He said again, nodding slowly and still not looking at her. Rico could feel both frustration and relief at this attitude. Frustration, for reasons unbeknownst to her, and relief for treating their situation with the kind of collected composure Rico needed to reach stability. This attitude, Rico believed, was one she could definitely latch on to. It was not enjoyable, feeling so at a loss.
"Yes," She said, arranging her voice much like his. Slow, steady. Good. "It was."
"But… it was not unenjoyable." This did make her feel odd. How could he so blatantly say this like it was an experience not unlike trying a new beverage, or beholding a different sight? The blush returned to her cheeks again. Brightening when he looked back up at her. "Would you agree?"
"Ah…" She let out, trying to pinpoint her composure and bringing it back to light. "I… would. Yes. It was…nice."
The Aryan man's gaze seemed to change, but how, Rico couldn't say. Instead, his lips pressed into a thin line before saying, "We are expected to do this more…"
Cold bloomed in her chest at his words, the logic feeling sharp and frigid against the heat of her blood. She had no idea why, but his words upset her in a strange way. "Yes…" She didn't know what else to say, aside from just softly agreeing.
"Rico," she directed her full attention on him, something in his eyes looked distant. "If you wish to kiss me, you may do so at any time."
There was no warmth or familiarity at his invitation, something that when it had been mentioned in the past between them, would have been done so with a light twinkle of amusement or shyness. This felt like an order rather than a request, and while Rico said nothing but nod in response, she couldn't help but feel like she had gotten further away from understanding this strange man with the blonde tussled hair and broad shoulders.
Erwin nodded after a moment's pause, and he was slowly lifting himself up to a sitting position. His arms shook and beneath the soft cotton of the hospice shirt, his muscles contracted into hard coils beneath skin. She found herself unable to look away as she saw him slowly move, broad chest lifting from behind the slipping covers. Suddenly, he let out a sharp hiss. Rico was moving before she could stop herself. This time, when her hands found his body, the familiar feeling of indifference was gone, replaced by the unknown sensation that resembled static. "Careful, your back was pierced by a long sliver of wood."
"I…" He was panting. "I can't feel my legs."
Something in her froze. "What?"
Erwin blinked and looked back up into her eyes, calm and frantic all at once.
"Rico… I can't feel my legs."
This room was dark, save the dim lighting pouring through dark curtains. A cot lay near the window of the room, on it was a sleeping figure of a soldier unidentified, but at its sides stood two figures. One was large and plump, the other maintaining a figure that could belong to none other than a woman. A woman with a sharp stance and hair tied back into a tight, severe bun. Her companion was a rather large and stout man, standing near the window and peering throught the slit of the curtain and out the window.
"You asked me to come in here," The woman spoke, voice severe and cold. "So speak."
The larger figure shifted, through the soft lighting, unimpressive brown eyes peered up through droopy eyelids, eyebrows pulling down. "We have a problem, Major."
"I am completely aware this is a problem." She hissed, butter yellow eyes taking on a sharper amber appearance, narrowing like the slits of a cat's gaze. "My men have all but been eradicated by the Titan's attack. I was ensure this would not be a problem, that this assignment would be easy and a step to a high promotion."
A low sigh blew through sweaty lips and the plump man was rummaging through a pocket for a handkerchief. "None of us predicted this to occur."
"Speak for yourself or for the government, Griko." the return was dripping with acid, stance turning hostile. "But do not try to sway me with idiot excuses. I want to know why my men died and why I have to suffer this!" a hand rose to tug down the collar of her shirt, exposing a long bandage that ran from her neck down her body, disappearing beneath the fabric. "Was this done by them? If so, why did they issue this attack now of all times? Everything was going according to plan!"
"The marriage of Historia Reiss to Armin Arlert had to be stopped," the man replied, grunting with irritation. "That much we knew had to be done. We were not sure if your men would be able to suceed. Insurance had to be prepared. I expected some form of involvement… but nothing like this. My superior assured me… this level of attack was not anticipated."
"The fuck does that mean, Griko?"
Droopy eyes blinked into a full glare, "The plan was to assasinate the Lance Corporal, Major. That was what we needed."
Major Harke bared her teeth, releasing her grip on her shirt to move to a nearby chair. Kicking it to the side, she all but tossed herself on the seat, not caring for the sleeping soldier on the cot next to them. "And my men were already stationed and ready for the kill, Gricko. Only now because you people got impatient, Instead of killing off Arlert, we have potentially killed off the Reiss woman in the process."
"Like I said, this was not anticipated. Truth be told… I do not believe this was a planned attack."
The woman let out a disbelieving scoff, "After all that's happened, I'm not sure I believe you. Was this done due to a lack of confidence in us? If so, this is bullshit. Now, you either know who let this happen, or you don't, so I would rather you tell me now. This is not something I take likely."
"I am aware of that, Major. But, this Titan attack was not from us. They did not tell us that this would occur. I understand why you would be in the dark—"
"—Fuck you too, Griko." Harke snapped.
"—nevertheless, if this had been part of the plan, I am certain I would have been told. No," the plump man turned around, wiping his head with the handkerchief. "This was orchestrated by someone else."
A pause filled the tense room as the two conspirators listened to the labored breathing of the groaning soldier resting on the cot. "You're certain he will not be listening?" Griko inquired, pointing a large finger at the resting man.
"If he is, he won't be for long." Harke snorted, crossing her arms. "Are you suggesting that Erwin Smith had something to do with this?"
"It is a possibility."
The Major let out a derisive snort, "Impossible. I've been personally intercepting what letters and information he could be sneaking out. Besides, my men have been tightlipped about our given assignments, Griko. There's no way he would've been able to know about the assassination."
Another long sigh escaped the fat man, he turned back to face the woman before taking a few steps close to her. Suddenly his hand was reaching for her jacket, roughly pulling the material away and grasping at her shirt. Harke let out a startled cry, "Hey, what are you—hands off, you sick—!"
Big fingers found the bandage and wound beneath before giving a sharp squeeze. Harke cried out, agonized. Brown eyes leaned close to her, wide and deranged with some kind of sick look of perversion. "This is what happens when you and your people are sloppy, Trika. You suffer from wounds and ineptitude. While you are in my presence, you will keep that nasty tongue of yours in check, otherwise." He reached further south to grasp the mound of flesh roughly. Harke let out another cry, before throwing a sharp punch into her assailant's mouth.
With shocking ease, Griko caught the flying fist before twisting and turning it over her back. Doubled over and gasping, Major Harke gritted her teeth, feeling her wound grow hot with blood. "Your job, Major Harke, from this moment on is to find out how much the commander knows. I don't care how you get the information, you use whatever means necessary. If it means you need to tie him down and break him, then do it. We have grown very tired of Erwin Smith, and we want him out of the way."
"If you want me to kill him, just say so—AH!" Griko's hand gave her arm a sharp twist, forcing her off the chair to land on her knees on the ground.
"Pay attention. We do not want him dead. Not yet. No, we have very special plans for our very own Commander. But, we cannot have him privy to information that is too sensitive to be let loose. Take care of him, Harke. Get the information and report back. If you fail again, I will hand you personally hand you over to him."
Harke's body froze at the final word, breath stopping for a moment of horrified silence. "Am I being perfectly clear?"
"Y… Yes… sir." She spat out, groaning when he gave her arm a final squeeze before tossing her on the ground. She scrambled to her feet, turning a violent glare on the fat merchant.
"Good," He said before looking back at the figure of the fallen soldier. "Make sure he actually dies, Harke. Last thing we need is more acts of idiocy from your part." With a swift turn of a polished heel, the plump man was marching toward the door. The door opened, bringing in biting light from the sunset lit hallway, before it slammed back against the hinges.
Major Harke let out a frustrated growl before grabbing the chair and kicking it against the wall. Looking back at the unconscious body, she let out a thin sigh and allowed herself to sit on the cot. The bed let out a hard squeak beneath her weight, and she lifted a hand to softly press against her chest. Feeling sick and defiled, she tried to release the shaking in her fingers with a hard flick. His assault had broken through some of her stitches—she could feel the heat of blood dampen the cloth of her bandage, but it was nothing compared to the disgust and rage curling poison through her blood to crawl under her skin.
None of this should have happened. She thought to herself, angrily glaring into the darkness. If her superiors wanted blood and information, she would give it to them.
And she would not disappoint.
TBC
if I reach 200 reviews I'll post not one- but TWO chapters next week. See you next time!